Are all hard drives compatible with linux?

Question

Are all hard drives compatible with linux?

Answer 1

By and large, yes. However, some energy saving drives these days have issues with Linux. Your best bet is to check for comments on Linux forums or places like Newegg.com or Amazon from Linux users just to be safe.

Answer 2

The drives themselves should all be compatible. However, the backup software that often comes bundled with external hard drives probably won't be Linux-compatible.

Answer 3

Yes, but it must be formatted in a linux compatible format in order to install linux. Linux can read and write to other formats such as windows formats.

Answer 4

Put it this way I have installed Linux on countless computers and as yet have found no issues.



Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux



Option One (Full installation)



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 9 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-9-isadora



Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 9 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 9 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Also worth considering :



Fedora Remix (Fedora with elements of Linux Mint)

http://fcoremix.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/lucky-13/

http://iso.linux.hr/community-fedora-remix/

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/13/html/User_Guide/



Again Fedora Remix can be run direct from the LiveDVD without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 10.04 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download



Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid



Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed



As with Linux Mint 9 and Fedora Remix, Ubuntu 10.04 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major





LUg.

Answer 5

Yes...

Linux will run on most modern PC hardware..